Math Technology for Visually Impaired Students

By Susan Osterhaus, Secondary Mathematics Teacher, TSBVI

The use of scientific graphing calculators is now a mainstay
of secondary math classrooms, and they must be provided to
students for the End-of-Course Examination for Algebra I. When
the new statewide assessment (TAKS) begins in Spring 2003, the
Algebra I exam will be eliminated, and it is expected that the
TAKS 9th, 10th and 11th Grade (Exit Level) Mathematics will
require the use of a scientific graphing calculator. Initially,
calculators will not be permitted on the 8th Grade math TAKS.
However, their use may be included in the near future. Each
student must also have access to a graphing calculator for
routine classwork and practice. Visually impaired students must
meet the same requirements as their peers, and Teachers of the
Visually Impaired (TVIs) must be prepared to teach their students
the skills needed to be successful in mathematics courses. A
review of the technology currently available may help TVIs
determine the most appropriate ways to teach their students and
prepare them for statewide assessments.

The Administrator's Manual of the 2001 End-of-Course Test
states that each student must have access to a graphing
calculator during the testing. Students may use any graphing
calculator except those with typewriter-style keypads
(known as QWERTY) or those that include a computer algebra
system. Students may also use any four-function or scientific
calculator on the test, but hand-held minicomputers or laptop
computers may not be used. TEA usually accommodates the needs of
special education students on an individual basis. If a visually
impaired student uses, or wishes to use, a piece of technology
not currently approved by TEA, the student's TVI should contact
the Accommodations Task Force at TEA, which may give permission
to use it on statewide assessments. For further information, the
TVI might also call the Student Assessment Division of TEA, at
(512) 463-9536. Remember, the device must be an accommodation
that the student routinely uses in class.

Large Display Scientific/Graphing Calculators

Texas Instruments (TI) makes a ViewScreen package for several
TI calculators including the TI-82 and TI-83. It has worked well
with some low vision students. They use a ViewScreen calculator
connected to a ViewScreen LCD display panel placed on a light
box. Some students prefer using their calculator on the newer
color CCTVs. This technology is easily available and has been
approved by TEA. The ViewScreen package is already used by math
teachers on their overhead projectors, so they should have no
problem training visually impaired students with this
technology.

The VisAble is the only large display scientific calculator
made as a one-piece portable unit, and is an alternative for low
vision students who are unable to use one of the TI solutions.
However, it does not have graphing capabilities. Betacom
Corporation manufactures it. Although most general education math
teachers will be unfamiliar with the VisAble, the various
functions are easily identifiable, and a willing math teacher
should have little difficulty orienting the visually impaired
student to the VisAble. This technology is more expensive than
some, but it does meet with TEA's approval.

Professor Goldstein's TI-83 Trainer is an affordable computer
software program with complete TI-83 calculator emulation. When
installed on a laptop, the student has a very portable device.
The addition of magnification software provides even better
accessibility. If the math teacher has selected the TI-83 as the
class calculator of choice, the TI-83 Trainer is an excellent
option for the low vision student. The math teacher should have
little difficulty orienting the visually impaired student.
However, this option has not been approved by TEA at the present
time.

Scientific Notebook (SN) is another software package. When
installed on a laptop, the student has a very portable device,
which is more than just a graphing scientific calculator. SN is
also a math/text processor, so the student can do all
assignments, calculations, and graphs in one document directly on
the laptop. It has onscreen magnification up to 400%, or
additional magnification software may be used. In addition, two
large print fonts are available from MAVIS at NMSU, which will
allow further onscreen magnification and large print hard copies.
Metroplex Voice Computing is even working on voice recognition
software to make it accessible to the totally blind. With the
right techniques, it is also possible for a blind student to work
with matrices using Scientific Notebook and a screen reader to
solve systems of equations and find regression lines.
Furthermore, math teachers can enter all their worksheets, tests,
etc. on SN, and the teacher of the visually impaired can easily
translate them into Nemeth code. Many general education math
teachers are just now discovering SN and seem quite excited about
its potential. Although it has not been approved by TEA at the
present time, most math teachers should find it to be affordable
and user-friendly.

Braille Scientific Calculator

The Leo is the only stand-alone braille-display scientific
calculator, and is an alternative for the deafblind student who
does not use a notetaker with braille display. However, it does
not have graphing capabilities. Robotron Sensory Tools
manufactures it. Most math teachers will need training before
they can assist the student with this technology. The cost may be
prohibitive for most, but it does meet with TEA's approval.

Talking Scientific/Graphing Calculators

Certain low vision students may prefer a stand-alone talking
scientific calculator, and although there are many such
calculators on the market today, the ORION TI-34 from Orbit
Research is currently the most affordable and user-friendly. It
is also approved by TEA. While it does not have graphing
capabilities, it is easily accessible by totally blind students
(unlike the TIs and the VisAble), and features a built-in
learning mode. The ORION's LCD display and functionality are
identical to the TI-34, so math teachers should feel very
comfortable orienting the visually impaired student.

Graph-It is a tactile scientific graphing calculator program
for Blazie Engineering Note-Takers. Graph-It PC is designed for
use with IBM compatible PCs. Both are available from Freedom
Scientific. The student can type in an equation and produce a
tactile graphic on most embossers. An audio representation of the
graph can also be played through the speaker for a quick,
sound-picture of the graph. The software is quite limited,
however, and the tactile graphics and audio graph lack precision.
The note-takers also include a built-in scientific calculator.
Although this combination is not the most user-friendly or time
efficient scientific graphing calculator solution, it may be the
only option for a deafblind student. Most math teachers will need
training before they can assist a visually impaired student with
Graph-It, and this is not a TEA-approved solution.

The Accessible Graphing Calculator (AGC) from ViewPlus
Software, Inc. is a self-voicing graphing scientific calculator
software program. Unlike a hand-held calculator, it displays
results through speech and sounds, as well as visually presenting
numbers and graphs. This program is intended to have capabilities
comparable to a full-featured hand-held scientific and
statistical graphing calculator. The AGC is truly accessible for
all students, and could be used for the entire class. The
onscreen graphics are easily seen by a low vision student via an
enlargement feature, and the graph can be listened to by using
the sophisticated audio wave feature. Print copies can be made
with any standard printer using a variety of fonts, including
braille. The print copies with braille fonts can be copied onto
swell paper and run through a tactile imaging machine. One of the
best ways to use the AGC is with a TIGER Braille/graphics
embosser from ViewPlus Technologies, Inc., but the TIGER is
rather expensive. Although considerable time is typically needed
for training a blind student to use the ACG totally
independently, the math teacher is usually able to assist the
student because it is so user-friendly for the sighted
individual. The AGC cannot do matrices or parent functions, but
the various functions it will perform are quite impressive. (The
vendor plans to continue upgrading the software, including
working with matrices.) It has not been approved by TEA at the
present time.

Conclusion

Teachers of the visually impaired must make many decisions
about appropriate programming and technology for their students.
They must not only be aware of the different kinds of technology
that are available, but also be able to teach their students how
to use them. For TEA to approve the use of a piece of technology,
it should be routinely used by a student to complete assignments
at school. The student should (a) have access to a graphing
calculator, (b) know how to use a graphing calculator, and (c)
use it to practice routine class work at the same time as his or
her classmates.

TSBVI is committed to being a resource for visually impaired
students, their teachers, and their families. It sponsors a
variety of workshops and training opportunities, and maintains a
math website at http://www.tsbvi.edu/math/.
The website
not only provides information about appropriate materials, tools
and technology, but also offers specific suggestions for
collaboration between teachers of the visually impaired and
general education math teachers. In addition, the Special
Programs Department offers a three-week summer class, Adaptive
Tools and Technology for Accessible Mathematics (ATTAM), and a
one-week ATTAM class during the regular school year. They also
offer several one-week sessions of individualized instruction on
specific IEP objectives throughout the year, which might include
math and/or math technology goals. Finally, the Comprehensive
Programs Department offers Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II in
two-period blocks during the academic school year. The two-period
block allows additional time for learning the necessary Texas
Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), perfecting the Nemeth
code, and training in the use of adaptive math tools and
technology.

If you have questions about teaching math to students with
visual impairments, contact Susan Osterhaus at susanosterhaus@tsbvi.edu
or (512) 206-9305.